22 replies to this topic

[Laughing Gravy]

...as I slip towards my 60th and senility it seems the old 'lamps' aren't as good as they used to be either, so I'm trying to make the instruments brighter.

 

This is the current 'bulb' (below) ... it's the 'clock' light so I presume the rest are the same. It's a '97 mpi ....

 

Can anyone advise me of the simplest method of using LED replacements and more specifically exactly which bulbs to use without the need for resistors and stuff   ... Just want bright, white so I can actually see the bloody things ...

 

Cheers.

Attached Files

•  IMG_0671.JPG   36.95K   35 downloads

Edited by Laughing Gravy, 05 January 2016 - 04:49 PM.

[Steve220]

That's your standard 501 type automotive bulb. LED equivalents are plastered all over the internet. You won't need any resistors or ballasts, they're a straight swap!

[b_sdaddy]

interested in this too.

 

My mini currently staying a few days in the hospital - sick.

 

I have a 1978 with 'classic' centre speedo/oil/temp gauges, but these bulbs look too new for me - can someone add LED upgrade for mine - please.

 

&sorry if there's a thread already - just jumped on this one as I was posting anyway.

[Laughing Gravy]

...ooo...so something like this? 

 

http://www.autobulbs...360-degree.html

 

 

...argh..ok I keep searching but there is a huge range that are flagged as sidelights or repeater lights but never interior/dashboard/instrument lights...would welcome an idiot proof link lol

Edited by Laughing Gravy, 05 January 2016 - 05:22 PM.

[Itsaminithing]

Don't worry you're not going mad or senile.... you've been given the wrong part number!

501 comes up as a 5v indicator/repeater bulb because that's what it is -the correct part number for the instrument panel is 286

You need 9 for the main 3 clock dash plus one each for whatever 52mm dials you have.

http://www.ebay.co.u...d white&_sop=15

[Laughing Gravy]

...thank for the info...I just have the three main clocks - speedo/rev/fuel&temp and the smaller time clock. It's still very confusing. I've searched eBay for the same thing and on some it flags it up as not being compatible...maybe I am going senile lol ... at least they're pretty cheap so any mistake won't hurt too much.

[leyland73]

Don't change the indicator tell tales or the battery charge warning light with led bulbs as your indicators will not work and you'll mess up your alternator. These circuits require the voltage draw from the incandescent bulbs to work properly. Leds fine for lighting up the instrument pods but not much else in a mini dashboard

[Itsaminithing]

Good point-

LEDs should not be used for turn signal indicators, or for the red generator/alternator light on the dash.

There are 9 bulbs in total for the 3 Dial pod but it was cold & pitch black in the car so i didn't work out how many were just for illumination

 

I'm also confused by the various bulb numbers, the standard bulbs should be 12v 2.2w capless wedge but i'm having trouble finding the LED version.

You could physically fit a 501 LED bulb but it's the equivalent of a 5watt incandescent bulb so it might be a bit OTT.

If all else fails these people have the right kit : http://www.minitrailers.com/

[Laughing Gravy]

Thank you for the info...no...not going to touch indicator lights etc...just need the clock/dials to be brighter for mi owd eyes.. 

 

Finding the right bulbs looks easy until you get the myriad of sellers and then run a compatibility check...I just want some 'ickle LED wedge/capless white bulbs that fit AND work...arrgghhhhhh ..

[brivinci]

I have done a complete swap on a DeLorean I owned and can give you a bit of advice. Make sure you buy "warm white" LEDs and not just white. White LEDs are more of a blue/white where warm white gives off something much more soothing to the eyes. Its looks much more natural. The DeLorean was unique in that all the lights power went through the light switch...which in turn usually heated up said switch. Eventually, the switch wears out from from this. Adding LEDs made an amazing difference in the legibility as well as the draw on the battery. Also, given that is customary to leave the doors open a car show or when people wanted to have a look, I changed out the lights that were on the leading edges of the doors. Its was great to know that I was not draining the battery too much with the doors open anymore.

 

One thing I found annoying though was that I replaced the headlight indicator lights with LEDs. For whatever reason, the DeLorean had indicators for both dip and high beams. One or the other were always on with the lights. The LEDs were so bright that I found them VERY distracting. I ended up replacing them with standard bulbs but kept the LEDs in the rest of the binnacle. They REALLY brightened things up.

 

On the subject for lightning upgrades, I have another recommendation for the Mini. Maybe its because I dont drive me every day but I cant stand the lack of light inside the car at night. Not a fan of feeling around for the center switches. I bought a kit from a guy here in the US that made all the switches light up dimly when the ignition is switched on. I also replaced the unlit headlight switch (on SPi car) with a lit one. I made my own first but then found out they actually made a lit switch. Maybe it was for a Rover but its great. When I switch on my ign, I know can see all the switches as well as while driving. The kit even allows me to adjust the brightness of them. 

[Laughing Gravy]

...many thanks for that...slightly jealous of you having a DeLorean

 

The ones I've looked at seem to be tagged as Xenon White but I'll ask before ordering.

 

I'm still working out which the correct ones are from the three types in the link below but hopefully will have it sorted out for the weekend.

 

http://stores.ebay.c...ch&_sid=7860007

 

I'm the same with the 'dark' so I'm also going to install backlit switches for the heater/rear window/fog light switches...think I've seen them available on the t'internet somewhere...will post photos once I've got everything done.

[brivinci]

I believe that one of the big mini vendors sell the backlit kit. The guy that made mine was great because I was able to have him customize it for my needs as I added that lit headlight switch and my car also has a front fog light switch on the dash. They all come on and its soooo helpful.

 

One more thing I am thinking about installing in the car is footwell lighting. I have these LED strips that are about 12" long and designed for use in cars. They will come on with a switch or when the door is opened. I feel like that will help make the interior a bit more "inviting" and be useful when trying to find things.

 

The DeLorean was an interesting car. It was in my family since 1986 and it was certainly a love/hate relationship. An offer came in that we just could not refuse and we let it go a few years ago. I do miss it but thats life I guess.

[AgentHubcap]

I want to change my switches to these:

[cal844]

I want to change my switches to these:

Arduino switches... Speak to Wired By Wilson
http://www.wiredbywi....co.uk/contact/

[briancaveman2003]

...ooo...so something like this? 

 

http://www.autobulbs...360-degree.html

 

 

...argh..ok I keep searching but there is a huge range that are flagged as sidelights or repeater lights but never interior/dashboard/instrument lights...would welcome an idiot proof link lol

got load's of led bulbs m8 i put some in my dash but don't put any in the batt and ing light  i also used them in the indicators lights on dash they light up blue look's cool if you want any just pm me your adress